Saint Kirill II of Rostov

Bishop Cyril (died May 21, 1262) was the Bishop of Rostov and Yaroslavl from 1230 to 1262. He served as the abbot of the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery in Vladimir. He governed the diocese from April 6, 1230 (or 1231), until nearly the day of his death. During the Mongol-Tatar invasion, he took refuge at Beloozero; upon returning, he found the body of Grand Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich, who had perished at the Sit River, and buried him. Cyril’s long pastoral ministry during the difficult early years of the Mongol-Tatar yoke was highly fruitful; he restored many churches, organized the life of the clergy, and repeatedly reconciled warring princes. In 1253, he traveled twice to the Golden Horde to visit Khan Berke, where he healed the Khan’s ailing son. Following this, he was granted a yarlyk (charter) stipulating that the annual tribute from the princes of Rostov and Yaroslavl was to be directed to the "House of the Most Holy Theotokos." He also baptized a Mongol prince, Peter of the Horde. He left behind a number of writings, including On the Fear of God, On the Heavenly Powers, On Evil Spirits, and On the Toll Houses. Before the arrival of Metropolitan Cyril in Vladimir, Cyril of Rostov served for approximately ten years as the sole administrator of all the dioceses of Northeastern Rus'. He died in deep old age on May 21, 1262. He is venerated by the Russian Church as a saint in the rank of hierarchs, with his feast day celebrated on May 23 (June 5) as part of the Synaxis of Rostov and Yaroslavl Saints.